Malaysia deports 1,086 Myanmar nationals despite court order

Immigration chief says the group was sent back on three Myanmar navy ships and do not include Rohingya or asylum seekers.

Malaysia has deported 1,086 Myanmar nationals, despite a court order temporarily halting the repatriation amid concerns the group could be at risk if they are returned to military-ruled Myanmar. Kairul Dzaimee Daud, director-general of Malaysia’s immigration department, said on Tuesday the group had agreed to return voluntarily and were sent back on three ships belonging to Myanmar’s navy. The move came hours after the Kuala Lumpur High Court granted an interim stay barring the removal of some 1,200 people until 10am (02:00 GMT) on Wednesday.